River Forest, Ill.- The Concordia University Chicago men's basketball team looked to rebound this afternoon after one of their more disappointing efforts of the season on Saturday. They welcomed the Edgewood College Eagles to Geiseman Gymnasium for a rescheduled Northern Athletics Collegiate Conference game from earlier in December. Head Coach Randy Rogers made some adjustments to the starting lineup, and the Cougars responded early taking a eight point lead into the half. They then played an even more impressive second half that included a 15-0 run that allowed CUC to run away with it 81-63. 
 
The Eagles came out quickly in the first five minutes. The Cougars were able to counter with a strong energy of their own. Four straight points by Jarek Hotwagner tied the game at eight. The Cougars looked to continue to build momentum when Louis Fernando converted his own steal into a layup. Hotwagner's big shooting night was just getting started. He buried a three to extend the Cougar lead to six with 12:56 remaining in the half. Edgewood tried to kill the Cougar momentum with a run that gave them the lead momentarily midway through the half. It was Hotwagner again though that ended the Eagle run. Late in the first half CUC made another push. This time it was Israel Dosie getting the Cougars started on a 6-0 run that would give CUC the lead back for good. Dosie buried a three to extend the lead back to seven, and Mitch Pelissier made it 39-31 CUC at the half with a jumper.
 
Hotwagner led the Cougars in the first half with 15 points and six boards on 7-12 shooting. Dosie chipped in seven as well. The difference in the half was the Cougars' ability to get to the free-throw line and convert 7-8 attempts.
 
The Cougars rode the momentum of the late first half run and came out with extreme confidence in the second half. CUC made it a double-digit game to begin the half on a Hotwagner jumper A nice reverse layup by Kyle Hoffman and another jumper by Dosie forced a timeout by Edgewood with CUC up 52-38. The Eagles made one last push to get the game back within ten, but CUC would begin their best run of the season. A 15-0 run over a 3:15 stretch blew the roof off of Geiseman. It began with a Dosie three from the wing. Hoffman, Pelissier, Mike Walmer, and Kris Claybon all scored during the run. The Cougars built the lead up to as much as 29, with both coaches emptying their benches with CUC having the game in hand by a final score of 81-63.
 
Hotwagner matched his career high with 22 points, and recorded his sixth double-double of the season finishing with 15 rebounds. Dosie finished one off of his career best that he set last night, finishing with 16 points on 5-8 shooting. As a team the Cougars shot 45 percent from the floor, and held Edgewood to 36 percent.
 
The Cougars (4-13, 3-11 NACC) will have one more game at Aurora on Wednesday night before heading to Concordia Nebraska for CIT next weekend. Opening tip is scheduled for 7:00pm from Aurora.